Just like how it used to take a while for the original PlayStation to load after you put a CD inside, so is Sony taking their sweet time digging deep into its catalogue of older titles.
Earlier this year, Sony Interactive Entertainment Chairman Hiroki Totoki mentioned that Sony’s incoming fiscal year won’t feature “major existing franchise titles,” and it appears there’s a good reason for this.
If we believe the rumors, the upcoming Until Dawn remake on PlayStation 5 and PC is just the start.
Sony has yet to stop the remaster machine, and currently, there are a couple of remakes in the pipeline. However, 2025 is shaping up to be a significant year for the brand.
— Silknigth (@Silknigth) March 7, 2024
With several more recent titles already receiving or set to receive similar treatment – Horizon Forbidden West and Ghost of Tsushima are next on the docket – a leaker claims more beloved games could soon join the roster. Though specifics remain undisclosed, the mere mention has been enough to fuel rampant speculation among fans. Curiously enough, this comes after Sony’s cancellation of the Twisted Metal reboot amidst major layoffs. Then again, with successful precedents like Shadow of the Colossus and Demon’s Souls, there’s a possibility this might be true.
Remakes and remasters aren’t merely about visual upgrading older titles. For example, the re-releases offer improved gameplay and potentially updated narratives that might resonate better with contemporary gamers. More importantly, they’re an opportunity to experience games from years ago in better light without relying on rose-tinted glasses.
Can you imagine exploring reliving Kratos’ vengeful god-killing quest on PlayStation 5 with better graphics, faster loading times, and quite possibly, fewer QTEs in a God of War remake? How about a less clunky version of the original Uncharted game?
While some are rightfully concerned about the potentially unhealthy overreliance on nostalgia over new content, this strategy can also help Sony fund innovative projects through their commercial success.
In other words, it’s a win-win situation for Sony, the older properties that might benefit from being brought back into the spotlight, fans of the forgotten games, and modern gamers who might be looking for something different from what’s already available on the market.
Unfortunately, while the leaker didn’t drop names, they did clarify that Killzone isn’t a part of the upcoming slate of remakes and remasters.
Ultimately, Sony has yet to confirm these plans, leaving plenty of room for speculation on the exact direction of their remaster and remake strategy. If the company proceeds with a significant lineup of revamped classics in 2025, it will be interesting to see how these releases balance with the demand for new and innovative gaming experiences.
